Cryptocurrency exchange company, Binance Holding Ltd, has announced that its Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, has departed Nigeria after eight months of detention.
The Bureau Newspaper reported on Wednesday that the Federal High Court in Abuja had discharged Binance executive, Tigran Gambayran, from money laundering charges filed by the Nigerian government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The trial judge, Justice Emeka Nwite had discharged Gambayran on health grounds, corroborated by the EFCC.
The EFCC had informed the court that the case could not proceed on the last adjourned date due to Gambayran’s health condition, which, according to him, the state has managed effectively.
The Commission stated that a report from the Nigerian Correctional Service, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), now indicates that Gambayran’s health has deteriorated to the extent that he can hardly walk without the assistance of a wheelchair, in addition to suffering from other health issues.
However, the crypto firm in statement issued on Thursday, said that the American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family, adding that he was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night.
“Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention. Gambaryan was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night. His health has suffered significantly while in prison. He will now be able to finally receive the medical attention he desperately requires,” the exchange said.
Meanwhile, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her relief at his release, adding that she didn’t expect that his release would have taken that long.
She said, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.
“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult, and I appreciate being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again,” she stated.
The Bureau Newspaper reported that Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were arrested and detained on February 26 following an investigation into Binance’s activities in Nigeria.
Both were charged with money laundering involving $35 million, as initiated by the anti-graft agency. Anjarwalla, however, managed to escape custody on March 22, 2024, Gambaryan was arraigned in court on April 8.
Meanwhile, the United States had appreciated the Nigerian government for releasing the Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan.
In a statement from the office of the National Security Advisor, the U.S. government confirmed that Mr Gambaryan was released by the Nigerian government on humanitarian grounds.
“I am pleased that American citizen and former U.S. law enforcement official Tigran Gambaryan has been released on humanitarian grounds by the Nigerian government and he is on his way back to the United States so that he can receive needed medical attention. As soon as we secured Mr Gambaryan’s release, I called his wife Yuki to share this good news.
“I am grateful to my Nigerian colleagues and partners for the productive discussions that have resulted in this step and look forward to working closely with them on the many areas of cooperation and collaboration critical to the bilateral partnership between our two countries,” the statement signed by Jake Sullivan read.